Nigeria is set to launch its long-awaited National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, in what top government officials have described as a landmark reform aimed at transforming the country’s trade ecosystem.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the State House in Abuja. The meeting was attended by ministers, heads of agencies and other key government officials.
Gbajabiamila described the initiative, first introduced nearly two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a far-reaching fiscal reform that would streamline trade procedures, improve operational efficiency and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” he said, noting that the platform would replace multiple trade windows with a unified national system.
He explained that the meeting was convened to review progress and secure stakeholders’ commitment to ensure a smooth transition ahead of the official rollout. The Chief of Staff also commended the dedication of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other participating agencies.
In a presentation at the meeting, National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, called on agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days leading to the “go-live” date. He said the first phase of the project would enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the deployment of a centralised risk management system.
Fakolade noted that cargo manifests would be submitted electronically and automatically transmitted to relevant agencies without human intervention, eliminating duplication and improving efficiency. He added that nationwide user training is ongoing, while pilot testing would commence soon to guarantee a seamless rollout.
Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the initiative, describing it as a growth-enhancing project.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, also pledged full support, calling the NSW a critical pillar of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She said the ministry would collaborate with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers and exporters.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, stressed the need to close Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries, while Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, urged stronger coordination and political will to ensure success.
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the project as a historic milestone and pledged full collaboration with stakeholders.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure a smooth and successful launch.
Other agencies represented at the meeting included the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.